The Parish of St Peter and St James Belfast. Parish Notes. february 2019

Transcription

1 The Parish of St Peter and St James Belfast Parish Notes february 2019 Rector: The Rev d Brian Lacey St Peter s Rectory, 17 Waterloo Park South, Belfast, BT15 5HX GOD. LOVING. PEOPLE

2 Candlemas Sunday 3rd February 11am

3 SERVICES IN FEBRUARY RECTOR S NOTES The month of February begins with Candlemas (also known as the Presentation of Christ), which marks the end of the Epiphanytide. From then onwards, we begin to gear for the season of Lent, which is a time of preparation for Easter on 21 st April. As well as the selfexplanatory liturgical names such as the Fourth Sunday before Lent we also have some odd-looking names in the run up to Ash Wednesday. The terms Septuagesima, Sexagesima, and Quinquagesima mean respectively seventy, sixty, and fifty days (not including Sundays) until Easter Day. They are just an old fashioned way of counting down the time until Easter, and sure we like that sort of thing in St Peter s! Our weekly evening services resume at 6.30pm on Sunday 3 rd February, with the choir present only on the first and third Sundays of each month. FELLOWSHIP GROUPS Our Thursday Fellowship resumes from 7.30pm 9pm on Thursday 7 th February in the Minor Hall, and will then continue to meet weekly, with the exception of the third Thursday of each month when the North Belfast Historical Society meets instead. Our Friday Fellowship resumes from 11.30am 1pm on Friday 15 th February in the Minor Hall, and will then meet on the first and third Fridays of each month. For your diary, that includes the 1 st and 15 th March. Our Sunday Fellowship Group resumes from 9.45am 10.30am in the church on Sunday 17 th February, and will then meet every week thereafter. All parishioners are very welcome to any or all of the fellowship groups. Please speak with me if you would like to learn more about them, or simply turn up.

4 ADVENT TO CANDLEMAS December is often the highlight of the year for our regular churchgoers and for the increased numbers of visitors who join us for worship. Our services throughout Advent tend to focus on our sinfulness, as is appropriate for a penitential season, and yet despite that, there is also a sense of fun and hope and expectation. I am grateful to our Choirmaster and Choir for their excellent hard work at our Advent Carol Service, and at Nine Lessons & Carols, and indeed at all services in which they take part. I am also thankful to all who helped decorate the church and prepare it for Christmas. In this regard, Noel and Annette Beattie stand out, as each year they quietly and dutifully organise volunteers to bring up and return the trees, decorations, and nativity scene which brighten up St Peter s. But whether it s a big role or a small role, the past couple of months involve a lot of our parishioners helping out in various ways to make it a special time of year. Thank you to all of you. Of course, the festive season doesn t end on Christmas Day. We will officially mark the end of the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany seasons with a third service of lessons and carols on the first Sunday in February, known as Candlemas. In previous years this service has been held in the evening, but as with the Advent Carol Service in December, I think it s right to move it to 11am and enable more people to be present. RURAL DEANERY In mid January, I had been Rural Dean of North Belfast for seven months, and I have to admit that although it does have its challenges, it s also very interesting. Being a parish rector can become quite inward-looking, and so it s been wonderful to have opportunities to meet people in other parishes, to see how they do church, to learn some things from them that can be tried in St Peter s. In order to get to know them better, I have agreed to take a couple of services in the forthcoming months in the Church of the Ascension in Cloughfern Parish, which has been without a

5 rector since last July. Later in the year I will do the same at the Church of the Holy Name in Greenisland Parish. The clergy of the Rural Deanery met recently and decided that our annual joint Pentecost evening service would be held in St Brigid s in Glengormley, and that the preacher would be the Rev d Peter Jones, who is the rector of Mossley Parish. Please put the date in your diary: Sunday 9 th June at 6.30pm in St Brigid s. Accordingly, there will be no evening service in St Peter s that day. We will also be considering a half day retreat later in the year, which will be led by some of the local clergy, and which will bring together perhaps three or four parishioners from each of the twelve parishes in the Rural Deanery. Space will be limited, so please let me know quickly if you d be interested, as it could well be a case of first come first served. We also hope to have a pulpit swap in the coming months, in which all the Church of Ireland clergy in the area will rotate for one Sunday, so I ll go and lead a service in another church, and another neighbouring rector will come to St Peter s. Having opportunities like this are invaluable for reminding ourselves that the Church is much bigger than our parish! TIME OFF Our Lord Jesus would often take himself off for some time out in order to recharge his batteries, and clergy are no different. It was lovely to be able to take two weeks off after Christmas in order to spend time with family and friends, and also to get some DIY done around the house. My time off was made possible by the Rev d Dr Ken Houston, who alongside his wife Patricia are now valued members of our parish family. I am very grateful to Ken for responding to any pastoral crises that arose during my absence, and I know that the people he has ministered to have been similarly thankful.

6 SERMON SUMMARY On the Second Sunday after the Epiphany (20 th January) we thought about Jesus miracle of turning water into wine. Because it s so familiar, we tend to read it on a fairly superficial level: Jesus is at a wedding; they run out of wine; his mother Mary encourages him to perform a miracle; and he changes some water into wine, and everyone is delighted, and the wedding party is a success. But we need to bear in mind that St John, in writing his Gospel, is not just telling us this fun little story. He is using the story in order to explain a theological truth in a simplistic way. Take note that St John describes this miracle story as the first of Jesus signs. That s important. Because a sign points you in the direction of something else. And what this story is doing and the other miracle signs that follow this in John s gospel is pointing us towards a deeper understanding of who and what Jesus is, and what he came to earth to achieve. So when we read this water into wine story, we need to ask ourselves: What does it tell us about Jesus identity and his purpose. Now without much thought put into, the story presents us with one immediately straightforward truth about this man Jesus. And that is: he can work miracles. Although St John describes this as the first sign it is clearly not Jesus first miracle, because his mother Mary knows presumably from experience that Jesus has this supernatural ability. And then at the end of the passage we read that his disciples believed in him as a result of witnessing this miracle. So plainly, this man can do things that other human beings can t. And whilst it s not made clear in this passage, as John s Gospel progresses the explanation will be given as to why Jesus can do these things, and of course that explanation is that Jesus is God. But let s focus back on this particular story, and delve a little deeper, because St John is using the characters and the events of this wedding, in order to very cleverly convey the truth that he wants us to understand. To grasp his meaning, we need to realise that Jesus mother Mary, and his disciples, the wine, and the water

7 jugs, each represents something else. John is using them metaphorically. Let s begin with Mary, who represents the Jewish people. Then there s the wine, which represents everything good in life: love, joy, hope, fulfilment, etc. So when Mary says that the wine had run out, St John is using this as a way of saying that the Jews no longer had any sense of joy or hope or fulfilment. In other words, their spirituality had run dry. The water jugs, we are told, were the type used for Jewish purification rites so they weren t used for holding drinking water. Rather the water contained in them was intended to be used for Jews to regularly wash themselves as an outward physical sign that they were inwardly spiritually clean. Now, when that water is changed into wine, the contents of those ritualistic jugs are no longer used for cleaning, but for drinking. St John is showing us a shift in religious practice, from the ritual bathing of the Jews, to the drinking of wine at Holy Communion. This then alludes to the death and resurrection of Jesus, which we remember and celebrate at Holy Communion, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit which followed, and the love, joy, hope, fulfilment, and all the blessings of life, which are associated with that. So the story of the changing of water into wine, is much more than a party trick. It is really about the Jews feeling as if their religion had run dry, and how Jesus filled them with something new and wonderful. Now, there is actually much more to the story than that, but we ll save that for another time. So let me conclude by saying that if you feel as if your own spirit has run dry; as if there s no hope, no enjoyment in life; no fulfilment, do what Mary did in this story, when she placed her absolute trust in Jesus to be able to do something about it. Trust in him. And let him fill you up and change you into something new.

8 CHURCH SERVICES IN FEBRUARY SUNDAY 3 rd FEBRUARY CANDLEMAS 9am Holy Communion Resurrection, white, modern 11am Candlemas Service Nave, white, modern 6.30pm Choral Evensong Nave, white, traditional WEDNESDAY 6 th FEBRUARY MID-WEEK 10.30am Holy Communion Resurrection, green, modern SUNDAY 10 th FEBRUARY FOURTH SUNDAY BEFORE LENT 9am Holy Communion Resurrection, green, modern 11am Choral Matins Nave, green, modern 6.30pm Evensong St James, green, modern WEDNESDAY 13 th FEBRUARY MID-WEEK 10.30am Holy Communion Resurrection, green, modern SUNDAY 17 th FEBRUARY SEPTUAGESIMA 9am Holy Communion Resurrection, green, modern 11am Choral Eucharist Nave, green, modern 6.30pm Choral Compline Nave, green, traditional WEDNESDAY 20 th FEBRUARY MID-WEEK 10.30am Holy Communion Resurrection, green, modern SUNDAY 24 th FEBRUARY SEXAGESIMA 9am Holy Communion Resurrection, green, modern 11am Choral Matins Nave, green, modern 6.30pm Evensong St James, green, modern WEDNESDAY 27 th FEBRUARY MID-WEEK 10.30am Holy Communion Resurrection, green, modern February Flower List 3rd Rosemary Hinds in memory of her mother 24th The Hall family in memory of their mother Thank you to all who give of their time and effort in beautifying the church with flowers. If possible, flowers should be in keeping with the liturgical colour of the season, particularly during Advent and Lent.

9 CHURCH SERVICES IN MARCH SUNDAY 3 rd MARCH QUINQUAGESIMA 9am Holy Communion Resurrection, green, modern 11am Choral Eucharist Nave, green, modern 6.30pm Choral Evensong Nave, green, traditional WEDNESDAY 6 th MARCH ASH WEDNESDAY 10.30am Holy Communion Resurrection, purple, modern 7.30pm Penitential Service St James, purple, modern SUNDAY 10 th MARCH THE FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT 9am Holy Communion Resurrection, purple, modern 11am Choral Matins Nave, purple, modern 6.30pm Evensong St James, purple, modern WEDNESDAY 13 th MARCH MID-WEEK 10.30am Holy Communion Resurrection, purple, modern SUNDAY 17 th MARCH ST PATRICK 9am Holy Communion Resurrection, green, modern 11am Choral Eucharist Nave, green, modern 6.30pm Choral Evensong Nave, green, traditional WEDNESDAY 20 th MARCH ST JOSEPH (transferred) 10.30am Holy Communion Resurrection, white, modern SUNDAY 24 th MARCH THE THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT 9am Holy Communion Resurrection, purple, modern 11am Choral Matins Nave, purple, modern 6.30pm Compline St James, purple, traditional WEDNESDAY 27 th MARCH THE ANNUNCIATION (transferred) 10.30am Holy Communion Resurrection, white, modern SUNDAY 31 st MARCH MOTHERING SUNDAY 9am Holy Communion Resurrection, purple, modern 11am Choral Matins Nave, purple, modern 6.30pm Healing Service St James, purple, modern

10 February Diary Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 3 The Presentation of Christ in the Temple Candlemas 9am Holy Communion 11am Candlemas Service & Sunday School & Creche 6.30pm Choral Evensong 4 7pm Parish Meeting 8pm Badminton am Crafty Goodness 6pm Beavers 7pm Cubs 7.30pm Priory Singers Rehearsal am Holy Communion and refreshments 2pm Bridge 6.30pm 7.30pm Choir 7 6pm Rainbows 7pm Brownies 7.30pm Thursday Fellowship 8pm Guides and Senior Guides am 4pm Speech and Drama am 4pm Speech and Drama 2 9

11 10 9am Holy Communion 11am Choral Matins & Sunday School & Creche followed by refreshments and Traidcraft Stall 6.30pm Evensong 17 9am Holy Communion 9.45am Sunday Fellowship 11am Choral Eucharist & Sunday School & Creche 6.30pm Choral Compline 24 9am Holy Communion 9.45am Sunday Fellowship 11am Choral Matins & Sunday School & Creche followed by refreshments 6.30pm Evensong 11 8pm Badminton 18 Deadline for material to be with Anne for March Parish Notes 7.30pm Select Vestry 8pm Badminton 25 8pm Badminton am Crafty Goodness 2.30pm Ladies Guild 6pm Beavers 7pm Cubs 7.30pm Priory Singers Rehearsal Crafty Goodness 6pm Beavers 7pm Cubs 7.30pm Priory Singers Rehearsal Crafty Goodness 6pm Beavers 7pm Cubs 7.30pm Priory Singers Rehearsal am Holy Communion and refreshments 2pm Bridge 6.30pm 7.30pm Choir am Holy Communion and refreshments 2pm Bridge 6.30pm 7.30pm Choir am Holy Communion and refreshments 2pm Bridge 6.30pm 7.30pm Choir 14 6pm Rainbows 7pm Brownies 7.30pm Thursday Fellowship 8pm Guides and Senior Guides 21 6pm Rainbows 7pm Brownies 7.45pm Historical Society 8pm Guides and Senior Guides 28 6pm Rainbows 7pm Brownies 7.30pm Thursday Fellowship 8pm Guides and Senior Guides am 11.30am Friday Fellowship 4pm Speech and Drama am 4pm Speech and Drama 16 23

12 Christmas at St Peter's This is a big 'thank you' to all who gave up their time to transport Christmas trees, decorations, candle stands, lights and the crib to and from the church. No small task. Also thanks to the Rector and Laura who decorated all the trees and installed additional lighting. It is up to you to decide whether the church looked festive over the Christmas period. If you weren't present at our Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols then you will have missed the biggest congregation for this event in my memory. This year leaflet drops were made in the immediate neighbourhood and advertising in local businesses resulted in a more community style event. More than a few commented on the church interior, one stating that he had walked past it for 40 years and had never crossed the door until that night. He couldn't believe what was behind our door. We can but hope that the music so appropriately picked by Robert Thompson and so well sung by the parish choir, the expertly delivered readings, all telling the story of the birth of Jesus, and the atmospheric lighting will have reminded those present what Christmas is really about. With refreshments dispensed afterwards, it was a problem getting everyone to go home. This service, and also the large crowd at the Cavehill Community Choir concert earlier in December, didn't do St Peter's any harm in the community and placed us firmly on the Antrim Road. It may have escaped your notice, but St Peter s is the only main Protestant church on the Antrim Road from the cathedral to Glengormley. Haven t things changed over the past 20 years? Maybe next Christmas this event will be become an all ticket affair'!! Be proud of your Church. Noel Beattie Ladies Guild On Tuesday 12th February we will remember Dorothy Cruttenden when our topic will be Coeliac Disease. Dorothy, who sadly died last year, suffered from Coeliac Disease. To help us all reach a greater understanding of the condition, this talk was scheduled before Dorothy died. Intolerance to gluten is becoming an increasing problem in our society. At our meeting a representative from the Coeliac Disease Society will explain the causes of this illness, and most importantly how to live with it. We will also be able to sample many varieties of gluten free food. Our meetings are open to everyone. If you would like to attend but don t have transport please speak to me or one of our members after church and we will be happy to arrange a lift for you. Looking forward to seeing you. Anne Stewart, Hon Sec (tel )

13 LESSON READERS AND INTERCESSORS The following parishioners are on the reading/intercessor rota at the 11am Sunday services. If the date is unsuitable, please contact either Sandra Hutchman, tel (readings), or Rosemary Johnston, tel (intercessions). Feb First Reading Second Reading Intercessor 3rd Hilary Shields Sandra Hutchman David Cromie 10th Daphne McClements Wes Holmes Forde Patterson 17th Colin Bell Moya Bell Daphne McClements 24th Peter Coiley Ashlee McCune Marie Burrowes Good news! Traidcraft has got a reprieve and is continuing to trade albeit on a smaller scale. Consequently, the stall will appear as usual in church on the second Sunday of every month. I hope I can rely on your continued support for this worthy cause. Jill Bradley Our Parish Family... Please let us know about any happy events and/or exciting news happening within our parish family. Good news is always worth sharing! CONGRATULATIONS to Pippa Knowles who is now the Cavehill Tennis Club under 18 girls champion. Well done Pippa! North Belfast Historical Society Date: Thursday 21st February Time: 7.30pm for 7.45pm Where McCollum Minor Hall Speaker: Richard Parkinson Subjects: Colditz: Escape and Escapades Richard Parkinson, after retiring from the Civil Service, became involved with a video and oral history project with the Somme Museum. The project concentrated initially on Irish (North and South) WW2 veterans, those who experienced the Home Front and now includes the Korean War. Colditz: Escape and Escapades tells of the conditions within the castle, how information and material were smuggled in, various escape attempts and also photographs taken at the time. It all sounds most interesting and everyone is welcome. Margi Crawford

14 ORGANISATIONS/HALL TIMETABLE Sunday 9.45am 10.30am: 11am 12noon: Monday 7pm: 7.30pm: 8pm 11pm: Sunday Fellowship Sunday School Parish Meeting (1 st Monday in month) Select Vestry (3 rd Monday in month) Badminton Club Tuesday 10.30am 12.30pm: Crafty Goodness 2.30pm 4.30pm: Ladies Guild (2 nd Tuesday in month) 6pm 7pm: Beaver Scouts 7pm 8pm: Cub Scouts Wednesday 2pm 4pm: 6.30pm 7.45pm: 7.30pm 9pm: Thursday 6pm 7pm: 7pm 8pm: 7.30pm 9pm: 7.45pm 9.30pm: 8pm 9.30pm: Bridge Club Choir Rainbows Brownies Thursday Fellowship (every week except 3 rd in month) Historical Society (3 rd Thursday in month) Guides and Senior Guides Friday 10.30am 11.45am: 11.30am 12.30pm: Friday Fellowship (1 st and 3 rd Friday in month) 4pm 8pm: Speech and Drama For more information on the parish organisations (including term dates) please contact the appropriate personnel listed on the back page or the Parish Administrator.

15 PASTORAL CARE If you would like to arrange for the Rector to visit you at home, whether to share your anxieties in confidence, for spiritual advice, for prayer, or for Holy Communion, then please contact him on This is an essential part of his ministry and he will be pleased to visit you and help in whatever way he can. If the Rector is unavailable, there will be contact details for other clergy on the answer machine. If you or a loved one is seriously ill, particularly if you are admitted to hospital, please inform the Rector. He often visits the hospitals but has no way of knowing who has been admitted unless he is informed. If you are visited by a hospital chaplain and they ask if you would like your Rector to visit, please say yes and he will gladly come to see you. Parish Notes On-line There are full colour versions of Parish Notes on our website. Visit and click on Parish Notes. The next Parish Meeting, to which all parishioners are invited, will take place on Monday 4th February at 7pm. The next meeting of the Select Vestry will take place on Monday 18th February at 7.30pm. PARISHIONER CONTACT DETAILS For speed of communication and to keep our records up to date please send your address to Anne Cromie at stpeterandstjames@outlook.com. Also please don t forget to let us know if you move house, change your telephone number or change your address. Holy Dusters Cleaning Rota 4th Feb 9th Feb Group 1 11th Feb 16th Feb Group 2 18th Feb 23rd Feb Group 3 25th Feb 2nd March Group 4 Please send material for the March issue of Parish Notes to: Anne Cromie, Parish Office, St Peter s Church, Fortwilliam Drive, Belfast BT15 4EB or stpeterandstjames@outlook.com by Monday 18th February. Thank you.